Systemic therapy assumes that people always live in relationships—with others, with themselves, and with their environment. Difficulties rarely arise in isolation. They develop within certain dynamics, patterns, or (social) contexts. At the same time, these contexts also offer possible solutions.
By looking at these connections, which often feel like a tangled ball of wool, together and understanding them better, new possibilities for action can open up. Change is not triggered by pressure, but can grow through reflection, insight, feeling, perception, and new perspectives.
In addition to what is stressful or perceived as problematic, I focus above all on what is empowering: existing skills, helpful experiences, as well as inner and outer strengths and empowering people, things, and activities that you bring with you.
In systemic therapy, clients are considered experts on their own life circumstances. The therapeutic process is designed collaboratively and on equal terms. You contribute knowledge about your own life, experiences, and needs, and I contribute my professional and therapeutic expertise.
In addition, my approach is characterized by a trauma-sensitive therapeutic attitude. For me, trauma-sensitive therapy means being aware that many psychological stresses and problems—as well as a range of physical complaints—can be related to stressful or traumatic life experiences. These do not always have to be clearly identified or remembered as "trauma" in order to have a lasting impact on experience, feelings, and behavior.
My aim is not to force or "work through" experiences, but rather to support security, stability, and orientation. The focus is on individual pace, personal boundaries, and self-determination. I understand symptoms as signs that usually indicate meaningful protective and adaptive responses to overwhelming experiences—not as signs of weakness or malfunction.
For me, being sensitive to discrimination means being aware in my therapeutic work of how much experiences of discrimination shape and also differentiate our realities of life. I have been making myself aware of many different forms and experiences of discrimination for many years. Those that I experience myself—discrimination as a woman and as a queer person—but also those that my clients and people in my environment have to and had to experience, especially racism and transphobia.
Using systemic, trauma-therapeutic, and body-oriented methods, along with a critical view of discrimination and power, we can set out on this journey together.